TONIGHT: WWE.com says Chris Jericho will kick off the show. Also, Jeff Hardy faces Snitsky in an IC Title match and Mr. Kennedy takes on Shawn Michaels’ old opponents in a gauntlet, much like Kurt Angle did a few years back.

-WWE Open.

-A review of Chris Jericho’s first two weeks back in WWE, including parts of his interview from last week, and his aiding of Flair in the Nature Boy’s match with Randy Orton. A longer than usual video package, it seemed.

-We went right to the arena, and Jericho’s Titan-Tron as he came out. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcomed us from a town not yet named. Y2J said the one reason he returned two weeks ago was to get a title match. Jericho said Sanchico Marella was right last week, saying he couldn’t just walk off the street and get a title match, so Y2J manipulated him. He told the monkeys in the truck to show footage of what happened when RAW went off the air last week- Orton accepting Jericho’s challenge. Jericho said there would be a new champion at Armageddon. Randy Orton’s music hit and the champ came out. RKO said the only reason he’s giving Jericho a title shot is because he knows he can beat him. Orton bragged about who he’s beaten, but Jericho brought up the guys he has beaten and said it doesn’t mean a damn thing. Jericho said he is all the things Orton is and they went face-to-face as Jericho ended with his promo with a serious tone. They both dropped their mics but William Regal came out before either could raise a fist. Regal said tonight, Jericho and Orton will each be choosing each other’s opponent. Orton chose first and picked Umaga. Jericho chose Shawn Michaels.

-Snitsky vs. Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental gold is coming up tonight.

-Maria met Mickie James backstage, they’re in tag-team action next!

[Break]

-Ah, we’re from Charleston, South Carolina tonight. Thanks JR.

-Thanks to the last segment, Chris Jericho will take on Umaga, and Randy Orton faces Shawn Michaels.

(1) Maria & Mickie James vs. Melina & Beth PhoenixMaria with a drop-toe hold on Melina, but Melina got a single-leg take-down and tagged Beth. Beth wanted Mickie in there and Mickie fired away at Beth with punches and kicks. Beth caught a kick though, and Mickie was able to counter. She knocked Melina off the apron, but Beth tripped her coming off the top. She then kneed Maria in the face on the apron. Mickie fought back, but Beth hit a spinning powerslam. Beth set Mickie up for the fisherman suplex and hit it for the win.

Winners: Beth and Melina at 2:14. Not much to it. Mickie did get some offense in, but it’s obvious she’s going in to Armageddon as the underdog.

-Todd Grisham was backstage with Shawn Michaels. He said his Sweet Chin Music is legal, and that’s good news. Mr. Kennedy interrupted his promo on the video screen behind him. Kennedy said HBK also needs to be thinking about his match at Armageddon with Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy runs the gauntlet next, and it just might break Shawn’s heart. Another good showing from Kennedy.

[Break]

-Mr. Kennedy came out to run the gauntlet of former HBK opponents, though it sounds like they’re only talking about one. It’s three of Michaels’ closest friends and rivals that Kennedy has invited tonight. The first man that came out was Marty Jannetty. Yes!! Oh damn, it was an impostor. And the crowd actually didn’t pop at all. The next was his WrestleMania X ladder match opponent Razor Ramon. Could’ve brought Rick Bogner out for this. Crowd doesn’t care. The fake guy even got the Razor pyro in the ring. “Thanks for coming, by the way,” said Kennedy. I thought that was funny, considering what happened yesterday. HBK’s WM 11 opponent was next, Diesel. Kennedy said the panel was missing something. Yeah, Bret Hart. Instead, Kennedy brought out a fake HBK. The Michaels guy had Shawn’s mannerisms down pretty well. Kennedy had a couple questions. One word that summarizes their feelings about HBK. Diesel: egotistical. Ramon: chump. Jannetty: traitor. KK had one word of his own: loser. The real Shawn Michaels then came out and superkicked the three impostors and allowed the fake HBK to leave the ring. Eh, the segment wasn’t great. The “bring out fake guys and taunt them” segments are never really good in the first place.

-Still to come, Umaga vs. Jericho and HBK vs. Orton.

[Break]

-Vince was excited on the phone with someone. He said Hulk Hogan will be headlining RAW next week. Coach, who was in the room, said Trish Stratus will be there. Vince mentioned Mick Foley as well. Eric Bischoff will also be there. Oh yeah, it’s the 15th Anniversary. Stone Cold Steve Austin too.

Hornswoggle was next to Vince and Coach was sent away. Vince said next week is the first-ever in-ring McMahon family portrait. Coach was brought back in and “Coach” Vince told Coachman to take a knee. Vince said Finlay isn’t in the arena tonight, so he wondered what will happen when Horny faces, in a no-DQ match, Carlito and Coach. Coach laughed and wished Horny good luck. Hornswoggle took a remote and looked at it. Oh, I guess it’s a phone. He dialed and was ready to talk to someone when they cut away.

-JR and King showed highlights from the show-opening tag match from last Monday.

-Backstage, Triple H was approached by William Regal. Trips wanted to know the motive behind Regal’s decision to have them face off one-on-one. Regal revealed that the winner of the match at Armageddon will get a title match at the Royal Rumble. Well that makes the outcome more clear. Regal accused Triple H of actually respecting Hardy. Triple H said he may not hate Hardy, but if it came down to him and the title, he’d pedigree his own mother...grandmother...or father-in law. I thought he was going to say “wife.”

-Tonight, Jeff faces Snitsky. But Umaga is headed to the ring to face Jericho next.

[Break- (52 minutes in and one match that was just over two minutes, and no Flair)] -Jericho and Umaga make their entrances and the match will start after the break.

[Break]

(2) Umaga vs. Chris JerichoBoth men were on the outside fighting out of break. Jericho was on the offensive. Jericho got overpowered and tossed to the outside. Back in, a running splash onto Jericho got two. Umaga pounded away and applied a nerve hold. Jericho broke out with a leg-lock take-down. But Umaga caught Jericho running toward him with a thrust kick. Umaga set up for his corner butt splash but Jericho got out of the way. He came off the top with a forearm to Umaga’s head in retaliation. When both men got back to their feet, Jericho blocked punches and hit some of his own, as well as a few chops. A running face-buster by Jericho was followed by the Lionsault. After a brief spurt by Umaga, Y2J hit the Codebreaker on Jericho. Before he could go for the cover Randy Orton interfered and hit the RKO on Jericho.

Winner: Jericho by DQ, 5:57 shown. Another low-impact match for Jericho to get his feet back under him.

-Later tonight, Orton will face Shawn Michaels.

-Hornswoggle is walking backstage, on his way to the ring for his handicap, no-DQ match.

[Break]

-Mr. McMahon will announce the top wrestler in RAW history next week at the 15th Anniversary show. Lord knows who that’ll be.

(3) Carlito & Jonathon Coachman vs. Hornswoggle- Handicap, No-DQ MatchJR said he had barbecue sandwiches bigger than Hornswoggle in Oklahoma. Horny whispered in Lillian Garcia’s ear. He wanted to inform everyone that he hired protection. Ron Simmons? Ha, it was Simmons and JBL, dressed as Bradshaw. The APA beat up Coach and Carlito then cornered Coach so Hornswoggle could do some damage. The crowd was chanting “APA.” JBL crushed Coach with the clothesline then dragged him to the middle of the ring so Hornswoggle coud hit the Tadpole splash for the victory.

Winner: Hornswoggle at 1:16. After the match, Bradshaw got on the mic and said if you have the money, you too can hire the APA. Bradshaw then plugged his gig on Fox News, not by name though. Before he would let Simmons say his catchphrase, he again plugged himself on Smackdown. Simmons finally took the mic from Bradshaw and said “Damn.”

-A scared-looking Todd Grisham was backstage with, well that explains it: Snitsky. Your plain, his pleasure, the usual. His match with Jeff Hardy is next.

[Break]

(4) Jeff Hardy vs. Snitsky, Intercontinental Title MatchLock-up to start, and Snitsky caught Hardy trying to be cute and slamming him back-first into the turnbuckle. He followed with an elbowdrop. Snitsky slammed Hardy head-first into the buckle, then stomped away at Hardy’s mid-section. Double-underhook by Snitsky as he seemed content at wearing down Jeff. Hardy worked out of it, but got sidewalk slammed for his troubles. Vertical suplex by Snitsky, but a leg drop missed. Jeff hit a dropkick, then grazed Snitsky with the Whisper in the Wind but couldn’t get the three. Twist of Fate was shrugged aside, but Snitsky missed a running boot. To the top, Hardy hit the Swanton, good enough to retain the title.

Winner: Hardy at 4:15. Good win for Hardy going into this match with Triple H.

After the match, Snitsky attacked Hardy. The loser got in the ring with a chair and Triple H’s music hit. Trips walked to the ring with his sledgehammer and Snitsky decided to take that as a sign to get out of the ring. As Hardy got up, Triple H looked like he was about to hit Hardy with the hammer but instead offered Hardy his hand. As they shook, Triple H drew him closer and talked to him, then left. I like the different angle they’re taking with this Hardy/Trips feud.

-JR and King ran down the Armageddon card. Looks pretty good on paper thus far.

-Jillian was singing a Christmas carol to Vince McMahon backstage. He signed for her to stop. William Regal came in and informed Vince that Stephanie was on her way to the arena. Vince wanted Regal to tell him the moment she arrives.

-HBK was backstage getting ready for his match. That is next.

[Break]

-Lawler plugged the first-ever McMahon family portrait, to be taken next week on RAW. Also, Mr. McMahon will announce the greatest superstar in RAW history. Interesting notes on those in the graphic: X-Pac is on there, as well as Kurt Angle.

(5) Shawn Michaels vs. Randy OrtonMichaels opened up with some hard right hands, and Randy exited the ring. He snuck in the ring before Michaels and took advantage offensively. HBK hit a spinning neckbreaker. He grabbed a head-lock and took over Orton. Orton tried to whip Michaels off the ropes, but HBK held onto the headlock. Crowd has been dead all night, and it’s no exception here. Michaels flipped out of a suplex attempt than pushed Orton off of an RKO attempt. Sun-set flip by Orton but no three-count. Anklelock by HBK. Orton rolled-up HBK out of it but HBK went back to the hold. Orton got to the ropes to break the hold. He rolled out of the ring, holding his ankle.

[Break]

Both men were hammering away at each other as the show returned. Michaels clotheslined Orton over the top rope. HBK went to the outside and tried to hit a superkick, but Orton got out of the way and Michaels hit timekeeper Mark Yeaton. Orton hit that DDT of his, with Micheals feet on the second rope. Orton stomped away at HBK. Reverse chinlock with body-scissors applied by Orton. After some more back-and-forth action, Michaels hit a flying forearm and an inverted atomic drop. Backslide by HBK for two. Scoop slam by Michaels. He went to the top and hit the elbowdrop. He began to tune up the band but saw Mr. Kennedy at ringside and Michaels jumped on him. They fought at ringside while the ref curiously did not DQ Orton. Instead, he made the ten-count, counting out Michaels.

Winner: Orton by count-out at 12:23.

-After the match, Orton proclaimed himself winner and champion. Like being shot out of a cannon, Chris Jericho came out of the crowd and attacked Orton. He couldn’t quite hook the Walls of Jericho as Orton fled.

-Backstage, Vince was face-to-face with Stephanie. Steph talked to Vince out of concern for him. He’s invited a lot of people to RAW next week, a lot of people who despise him. Steph said she didn’t want to see him get beat up again and asked him to beg out of RAW next week. But Vince said he loves confrontation, plus, he has to announce the greatest RAW superstar of all time. If anyone has a problem with him being on the show, they can go straight to hell. That caused Steph to walk away.

(edited by geemoney on 3.12.07 2312)My Survivor Series Hangout Report and More!: Experience It

Is there any doubt Vince will name himself the greatest RAW star of all time, followed by a cavalcade of attacks from a variety of big names?

I'm actually okay with Flair not being on the show. It will ruin the suspense of his storyline if he's in a match for his career every week. His appearances should be made special, to build the idea that every one COULD be Flair's last match.

The mini-APA reunion was great, made even greater by the fact that Bradshaw immediately went back into JBL mode after the match.

At least there will be no more talk of the undefeated on Raw Snitsky. I was pleasantly surprised by the clean finish, considering how little there was of that tonight (only the women's match had the other squeaky clean finish).

The lack of even talking about Flair past the first montage was very disheartening. The lack of Santino was even worse. It's like they booked a three hour Raw this week and then realized they had to cut everything down. Yet there was still time for the boring Kennedy w/ impostors skit.

I too am on board with the Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H angle. HHH is definitely bringing the promo goods in this feud. The addition of the title shot stip adds a level of intrigue as well.

Less entertaining maybe, but I thought a good choice to focus on Jericho as a serious contender. His comedy material is gold as before, but it really hasn't meshed that well with Orton's one-note deadly serious character. Why do I get the feeling that both Jericho and HHH are going to get screwed at Armageddon to (a) make Jeff vs Orton for the Rumble, and (b) leave them on pace for HHH/Orton at WrestleMania. Jericho can go on to feud with whomever they get to run-in to cost him the title.

Which is not really as much HHHate as it may sound, I think they continue to believe that H-Orton is still the best WWE Title match they can make for Orlando, and I don't see how you can squeeze in a Jericho title run between now and WrestleMania. (I could live with Rumble winner Jericho challenging WHC Edge, and Batista/'Taker to settle their feud once and for all?)

Beth looks real strong, but Mickie figures to be the challenger at WM, so this is just the start of the chase (I hope).

No Flair in Charleston? If you're going to build this angle, you could at least have Vince announce a match for next week's show. (If only they could have convinced Hogan to take a countout loss..)

Speaking of YOU KNOW WHO, did I notice that the return of Trish Stratus got a bigger pop than Hogan or Foley?

The return of the APA was somewhat illogical, but unlike painting a hole in the wall, at least it made some sense in WWE terms. And I marked for it I wonder if Bradshaw is in Vince's 5...

The Kennedy bit was the only real clunker of the night, imo. Not mind-bogglingly stupid, but it came off flat. One nice touch with HBK giving his doppleganger a chance to get out of dodge. I imagine these spots don't get over because the live crowd hopes for the real Marty Janetty to come out, etc?

Snitsky really looks like he's off the gas (kudos for that), but I would think they're serious about the Jeff push if they had played up the end of the "undefeated streak". By not mentioning it, I get more of a 'oh well, that was a failed Snitsky push' vibe. (And from looking at a close-up from his interview earlier, I wonder if Snitsky rubs something on his skin to make it that pimply.)

Nice little main event, I guess HBK was counted out because he left the ring voluntarily to go after Kennedy. Neither champion or challenger really ended up getting over the other this show, so we'll have to see who ends up standing tall on the Raw before the PPV next week. Considering they have next week to hard sell Armageddon, I guess it was okay with the odd finish cutting away from the action.

I thought it was all good booking for the PPV except for Beth/Mickie, which is baffling in a tag match when you can pin two other people, unless they're just scrapping the match from the PPV because they booked too matches.

I agree that Ric shouldn't be on TV every week, but you shouldn't have him sit out the week immediately after his huge angle started.

Originally posted by TOMWhy do I get the feeling that both Jericho and HHH are going to get screwed at Armageddon to (a) make Jeff vs Orton for the Rumble, and (b) leave them on pace for HHH/Orton at WrestleMania.

Yesterday's Observer had a potential SCOOP:

Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read

With Cena/Batista off the board, the working idea is to blow off HHH/Orton early at the Royal Rumble and do Batista/HHH at Wrestlemania, with Dave either winning the Rumble or an Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out to determine the non-Rumble-winning world title contender. HHH/Jeff being for a Rumble title shot would fit in that direction.

Personally, I'd rather see HHH/Orton and the long-held-off (since, uh, October) title change, but it would preserve Orton's four year streak of having his Wrestlemania main event changed. Maybe the Flair thing will get so over that they've be convinced to do one last Flair shot at the title against Triple H instead.

Beth looks real strong, but Mickie figures to be the challenger at WM, so this is just the start of the chase (I hope).

I love Mickie and wish that were the case, but I think Candice has the built-in angle and is the preferred party even though Mickie is so much better and has tried to endear herself for the top babyface spot by being willing to kiss girls.

Originally posted by yamchalooking closly at the picture they showed for next weeks show was I the only one that saw Eddie and Yokozuna in there?

I was surprised to see Angle and Booker in that picture as well.

Jericho really needed to go over in that match if he is the #1 contender. He already seems undeserving of a title shot, but a few wins leading up to the show against a few mid to upper card guys would help a little. A DQ win does nothing.

If Flair want to take this thing all the way to Mania, he can't risk injury by wrestling every week, but you would think he would at least make an appearance in SC. At least cut a promo!

Even if he just loses at the Rumble, Jeff really, really needs this win against HHH. Which means he will job. Jericho will probably have a flaky ending, maybe another DQ win?

I am almost tempted to say that next week might sow the seeds of Hogan-Austin at Mania, but I have been burned by that one before.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

It seems to me Chris Jericho's comeback has hit a wall of ignorance, judging from the tepid crowd reactions. One reason I reckon is that the hordes of young fans Cena brought in during the 2+ years Jericho has been gone don't really know him. The kids probably know the name but see a funny little guy with poofy hair, sparkly tights and silver vest who put up a picture of Cookie Monster on the Titan Tron and they don't see him as a threat to Randy Orton. It's shocking and absurd for a man of Chris Jericho's accomplishments that he's never even had a DVD of his career. He had a VHS tape like 6 years ago, but no multi-disc career retrospective DVD of his greatest matches like just about everyone else.

Other thoughts:

I thought the skit was boring because Kennedy himself isn't naturally funny enough to carry a parody like that but I did enjoy hearing Razor and Diesel's old music. I also did like Kennedy's "shoot" on Razor: "Nice of you to show up, by the way." I'm just not a Kennedy fan though. Partially, it's his gimmick, which is like the "I didn't do it boy" and stopped being funny well over a year ago, but mostly because the RAW writers have consistently booked him like an ineffective dope.

Maria's ass is a thing of wonder. She has this way of sticking her ass out when she wrestles that's just exquisite.

I am so sick of the Hornswoggle angle. It's ridiculous, it stopped being funny ages ago and it cut off the illegitate son angle at the knees.

That said, Hornswoggle himself is a really good performer. As limited as he is with what they let him do (with the grunts and all that), he's absolutely committed to that goofball character. Here's to him for that.

Besides unending silliness leading up to it and during it, the payoff for the Family Portrait bit has got to be a last second shakeup in the family - either Hornswoggle is revealed not to actually be a part of it, or Triple H is a part of it.

Originally posted by Brian P. DermodyI am so sick of the Hornswoggle angle. It's ridiculous, it stopped being funny ages ago and it cut off the illegitate son angle at the knees.

That said, Hornswoggle himself is a really good performer. As limited as he is with what they let him do (with the grunts and all that), he's absolutely committed to that goofball character. Here's to him for that.

Sure, he is milking it for all it is worth. Like Eugene, the gimmick had a short shelf life. What else is a midget wrestler going to do on this roster? It is probably the most high profile spot ever for a mini.

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Well, I must give credit to Brian J. French, who linked the Vince/Hornswoggle thing to Benoit in my brain a few weeks ago, saying he didn't want this to end up like the last time a WWE superstar had a developmentally challenged son. A poignant observation.

Originally posted by thecubsfanBesides unending silliness leading up to it and during it, the payoff for the Family Portrait bit has got to be a last second shakeup in the family - either Hornswoggle is revealed not to actually be a part of it, or Triple H is a part of it.

Could always be Vince's long lost half brother in Texas who was mentioned for the GM job just prior to the initial appearance of Bischoff on RAW.Since it no longer is his finisher, was it just a slip-up by Ross or is the Walls of Jericho reverting to the Liontamer?